Complementing the accomplishments of Wesleyan Women in medical science are the Wesleyan Women in the fields of behavioral science. With purpose and vision, they are committed to improving their communities.
Psychology is often a top major at Wesleyan College. It's one that Latoya Stewart, a 2006 magna cum laude graduate with departmental honors, chose as preparation for an enriching career. Equipped with an undergraduate degree, she headed to Michigan State University to pursue a doctorate in school psychology. Upon completion of the graduate program, Stewart plans to serve in the public school system where she intends to utilize a scientist-practitioner approach to develop and implement evidence-based intervention programs for children at risk of school-based problems.
“As a school psychologist and an ethnic minority,” Stewart said, “I will be better equipped to improve tolerance and understanding of cultural diversity in the school system. Since minorities are underrepresented in the field of school psychology, my addition to such an important group of professionals will be beneficial. A more culturally diverse group of school psychologists will be better able to serve the children and youth of this country which is a melting pot of many different cultures.” Read her story!
Nichole Collins Macmillan ’94 combined two exciting fields of study and doubled-majored in psychology and religion. After graduation, she earned a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education. She's served as a supply pastor, co-pastor and visiting evangelist in Virginia, Idaho, Arkansas and Georgia. But still, she makes time to actively volunteer with several organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity, and managed the startup of the Presbyterian Churchs largest child development center in southeast Arkansas.
As a freelance writer and speaker, Macmillan recently developed the Family Matters curriculum, a multi-disciplinary series of presentations and workshops for parents. Currently she is working on a book exploring the relationship between parenting and faith. Read her story!
Valerie Knopik, Ph.D. is an assistant professor at Brown University researching for the Department of Community Health and the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies. She earned a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Wesleyan College in 1994. She received an M.A. in Psychology (Behavioral Genetics) and a Ph.D. in Psychology (Behavioral Genetics) from the University of Colorado, Institute for Behavioral Genetics in Boulder. A postdoctoral fellow in Psychiatry/Genetic Epidemiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, Knopik has taught Quantitative Genetics at the University of Colorado. She has contributed to numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and is an ad hoc reviewer for many other psychiatric and scientific journals. She is a member of the Behavior Genetics Association, the American Psychological Society, the International Studies for Twin Studies and the Research Society on Alcoholism. More!
LaVanda Brown '91 also combined the fields of psychology and sociology through a double major at Wesleyan. Since then she's aldo earned a certificate for REBT Therapy, Center for Rational Living, Tampa, Florida; an M.Ed. Counselor Education, Georgia Southern University; and an Education Specialist Degree in Counselor Education, GSU. She serves professionally as Director of Housing Services for Union Mission, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia.
Having written and received more than $1 million in federal, state and local grants, Brown's work helps meet the housing needs of the less fortunate. She currently supervises and manages the staff and volunteers of five housing facilities and a 20-unit transitional housing program for the homeless. Read her story! |
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